At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive operational excellence and lead improvement projects across multiple manufacturing sites.
- Company: Join a leading international manufacturing organisation focused on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, healthcare, generous holidays, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with exposure to strategic projects and global operations.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by championing Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
- Qualifications: Experience in Continuous Improvement and a Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55200 £ per year.
Your new company Hays are partnering with a leading international manufacturing organisation to recruit an Operational Excellence Lead. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Continuous Improvement professional to drive operational excellence across multiple manufacturing sites, embedding a culture of lean thinking, process optimisation, and sustainable business improvement.
Your new role Reporting to the Head of Projects & Assets, the successful candidate will play a key role in identifying operational waste, delivering improvement projects, developing CI capability across the business, and strengthening the systems used to drive operational excellence.
This role would suit an ambitious Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, or Process Improvement professional who enjoys influencing change, leading cross-functional projects, and delivering measurable business results.
As Operational Excellence Lead, you will:
- Establish, develop, and sustain a structured Continuous Improvement framework across manufacturing operations.
- Using operational and engineering data, identify inefficiencies, drive problem-solving initiatives, and ensure improvements deliver both financial and operational benefits.
- Work closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Procurement teams, championing Lean and Six Sigma methodologies while supporting the development of a high-performance, continuous improvement culture.
- Design, implement and maintain a structured Continuous Improvement framework across manufacturing operations.
- Develop and manage a pipeline of improvement opportunities aligned to business objectives.
- Identify operational waste through analysis of KPI performance, scrap, customer claims, downtime and variance reporting.
- Lead and deliver Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement projects across multiple sites.
- Establish visual management tools, reporting systems and performance dashboards.
- Analyse manufacturing and engineering data to identify trends and recurring operational losses.
- Deliver training and coaching in Continuous Improvement and problem-solving methodologies, including Lean and Six Sigma tools.
- Facilitate root cause analysis activities and support the implementation of corrective actions.
- Develop governance, standardisation and reporting processes for OPEX project delivery.
- Track project benefits, savings, cost avoidance and operational improvements.
- Support the development of standard work procedures, SOPs and visual controls.
- Promote knowledge sharing and best practice across manufacturing locations.
- Present project performance, risks and improvement opportunities to senior leadership teams.
- Work closely with Engineering teams to ensure larger improvement opportunities are captured within future capital investment plans.
What you'll need to succeed:
- Proven experience in an Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Process Improvement or Manufacturing Excellence role.
- Strong background in manufacturing and engineering improvement within a multi-site manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated success delivering Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement projects.
- Six Sigma Green Belt qualification or higher.
- Strong analytical skills with experience using manufacturing and operational data to drive improvements.
- Experience developing and implementing Continuous Improvement frameworks, systems and governance processes.
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Strong project management, planning and organisational abilities.
- Experience working collaboratively with Operations, Engineering, Quality and Procurement teams.
- Knowledge and experience of ERP systems.
Desirable Criteria:
- Knowledge of compression and injection moulding processes.
- Lean Manufacturing certification.
- Experience within a high-volume manufacturing environment.
- Experience working within an international manufacturing business.
- Understanding of OEE, OOE and manufacturing performance metrics.
What you'll get in return:
- Competitive pension contribution.
- Healthcare benefits.
- Generous holiday allowance, including Christmas shutdown.
- Enhanced family-friendly policies.
- Wellbeing and engagement initiatives.
- Long-term career development opportunities within a global manufacturing organisation.
- Opportunity to lead and influence significant operational improvement programmes.
- Exposure to strategic projects with a genuine impact on business performance.
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Operational Excellence Lead in Craigavon employer: HAYS Specialist Recruitment
As a Production Operative at our company, you will be part of a dynamic and supportive team dedicated to excellence in manufacturing. We offer competitive benefits, a positive work culture that values collaboration and innovation, and ample opportunities for personal and professional growth. Located in a thriving area, our workplace fosters a sense of community and pride in producing high-quality equipment that makes a difference.
Contact Details:
HAYS Specialist Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Excellence Lead in Craigavon
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like HAYS Specialist Recruitment, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Excellence Lead in Craigavon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to HAYS Specialist Recruitment specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at HAYS Specialist Recruitment
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with HAYS Specialist Recruitment, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like HAYS Specialist Recruitment value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
